What’s Cookin’? Kitchen Design Trends for 2021
Kitchen design trends, not unlike fashion trends, come and go every year, and some stay longer than others. With the design world moving towards clean lines and minimalism, sleeker options have taken over the mainstream kitchen.
1. Cabinets
Going into 2021, white kitchen cabinets will still be popular in more classic kitchens, but warm-toned wood, gray, two-toned, and even blue cabinets are on the rise. Unexpected pops of color on a kitchen island or a dramatic, custom hood standing out among upper cabinets create bold and eye-catching statements. Cabinetry has also been trending towards a sleeker look that maximizes space and functionality by extending upper cabinets all the way to the ceiling. But more and more people are ditching upper cabinets altogether and instead opting for…
2. Open Shelving
If traditional cabinets are just not your style, then you may want to look at open shelving. Be mindful that it may take a little extra effort (and a little extra dusting!) to make open shelving work in your kitchen, but open shelves are more accessible and bring a certain charm to the space. Open shelving can replace all or some of the upper cabinetry in your kitchen and can be customized to work in any design style, whether you want to emphasize airiness, display décor, encourage minimalism, show off your killer backsplash or accent wall, or play up your quirkiness. Whatever your design goals, open shelving may be your unexpected, modern solution.
3. Backsplashes
Backsplashes can make or break a kitchen, and the trends are headed toward color and subtle glamour. Some design experts say that subway tiles have been overused, while others hold them as a classic. Nevertheless, you can add eye-catching details with tiles in unexpected shapes, colors, patterns, and textures. Also on the rise? Whole stone slabs rather than individual tiles. Don’t be afraid to be bold; the backsplash is where you can really add character and personal flair to the space.
4. Lighting
Lighting creates the mood in any room, and the kitchen is no exception. This is one room where you will be spending a lot of your time, so it’s important to get the lighting just right. Soft pendant lights are always good choices for a cozy mood, while LED recessed can and undercabinet lighting is both efficient and bright enough to let you see what you’re doing while you make (or unbox) dinner.
5. Countertops
Countertops tie it all together. Marble is a timeless choice that gives you a glamorous look, but trends are headed towards high-performance materials that give a gorgeous finish without vulnerability to stains, like nano-glass. Granite and quartz remain favorites for the same reason, while butcher block and natural wood countertops have been on the rise as design trends are starting to see warm earth tones make a comeback.
6. Functionality
When it comes to today’s kitchen, buyers want functionality! Today’s buyer is savvy and very critical in terms of a home’s layout and the use of space. They want a home that has a purposeful flow and doesn’t feel choppy, disoriented, or segregated as you move from one space to the next. Open floor plans between the kitchen, living room, and more casual eating areas still reign king to allow full sight lines and create a feeling of togetherness. This desire has also expanded to include a convergence of indoor and outdoor spaces. With the Cape Fear area’s mild climate, and with 2020 being a year that many have spent largely confined to their homes, more homeowners are embracing the outdoors as extra living space that can be used year-round.
See all these trends and consult a design professional to help make your vision a reality by visiting Markraft Cabinets design studio. Markraft has been committed to delivering custom results that far exceed customers’ expectations since 1985, and they’re sure to make your biggest design dreams a reality.